Title: Exergy and environment modelling for sustainable manufacturing systems

Authors: J. Gowrishankar; B.R. Tapas Bapu; Ravi Kumar; R. Anitha

Addresses: Department of EEE, Siddharth Institute of Engineering & Technology (Autonomous), Puttur, Andhra Pradesh, India ' S.A. Engineering College, Poonamallee-Avadi Main Road, Thiruverkadu, Chennai, Tamil Nadu, 600077, India ' Department of ECE, Jaypee University of Engineering and Technology, Guna, 473226, Madhya Pradesh, India ' Vel Tech Multi Tech Dr. Rangarajan Dr. Sakunthala Engineering College, Avadi-Vel Tech Road, Vel Nagar, Avadi, Chennai – 600 062, Tamil Nadu, India

Abstract: This study examines exergy and environmental modelling for sustainable manufacturing systems to reduce environmental impact and enhance energy efficiency through multi-objective optimisation, life cycle assessment, and exergy analysis. The framework combines thermodynamic modelling, life cycle assessment (LCA), data collecting, computer simulations, and multi-objective optimisation that focuses on cost, emissions, and energy. A study of a 210 MW coal-fired thermal power plant found that the boiler was the most effective in destroying exergy, even when the turbines worked at different levels of efficiency. Improvements in exergy efficiency show that emissions, resource use, and total environmental effect are all lower. This strategy helps stakeholders make strong decisions by linking technical, financial, and environmental factors in sustainable manufacturing.

Keywords: exergy analysis; ExA; sustainable manufacturing; energy efficiency; environmental modelling; life cycle assessment; LCA; exergo-environmental analysis; thermodynamic optimisation; resource efficiency; emission reduction.

DOI: 10.1504/IJEX.2026.154496

International Journal of Exergy, 2026 Vol.50 No.2, pp.147 - 168

Received: 15 Sep 2025
Accepted: 12 Feb 2026
Published online: 30 Jun 2026 *

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